It's been a tough year for me: Roger Federer

Shangai: Defending champion Roger Federer was tamed by his other nemesis at the Shanghai Masters.

Andy Murray scored his third triumph this year against the world number 2 which dumped him out of the season ender before the semis for the first time in 7 years.

Roger Federer says, 'Yeah, it's been a tough year, but still a good year. A fifth US Open, I had an incredible match at the US Open against Rafa. It was one of the greats, so I'm happy about that. I had two emotional victories as well, you know, in Basel, my home town, and then Olympic gold with Stan was fantastic. So, when I look back, it was a bit of a roller coaster.”

It has been a roller-coaster. This season started with a shock semifinal exit at the Australian open at the hands of Novak Djokovic and some hard to explain defeats followed.

Within a fortnight, Federer was beaten on clay at Roland Garros, and then shockingly for the first time in 5 years on grass at Wimbledon.

His conqueror went on to take over his world number one spot too.

However, the former world number one gathered himself down the stretch of the season, winning his fifth straight US open title with ease against Andy Murray, adding the 13th grand slam to his kitty.

Federer says, I'm looking forward to a break after a couple of exhibitions at the end of the year. Then I'll get ready for next year and be better than ever."

In 2009, Federer's goal will be to win the two grand slam titles that will take him past Pete Sampras for most career slams. Will he be up to it is the big question.